Electric storage battery for use in extreme climates



Jan. l2, 1954 E. L.. MARTIN ET AL 2,666,091

ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERY FOR USE IN EXTREME CLIMATES Filed April l2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Howard H. Agee Fla-5 ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1954 E. L. MARTlN ET AL ELECTEIC STORAGE BATTERY FOR USE IN EXTREME CLIMATES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed ApIl l2, 1951 I HIIIIVL F I G.- 8

IMJ/64 WI; mi

F I G. IO

INVENTORS EmmeI Morfn 8 Howard H. Agee BY ATTORNEY Patented Jan. l2, 1954 ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERY FOR USE IN EXTREME CLIMATES Emmet L. Martin, Chicago, Ill., and Howard H. Agee, Omaha, Nebr.

Application April 12, 1951, Serial No. 220,624

(Cl. 13G-161) Claims.

Qur invention relates to a storage battery structure incorporating means f or varying the battery temperature, and is particularly adapted for use in extremely cold climates.

It has long been recognized that storage batteries decrease markedly in efliciency as the temperature falls, until at temperatures on the order of 65 F. the power available from a storage battery is grossly insuiiicient for satisfactory operation of internal combustion engine starter and ignition systems. This characteristic is exceptionally objectionable in military vehicles intended for use in the polar or sub-polar regions where low temperatures are frequently encountered since heated shelter is seldom available and emergency conditions may require the immediate starting of a large number of vehicles.

Various solutions to this problem have been proposed, such as forcing heated air around a battery case within which the individual battery cells are disposed, but such proposals have been generally unsatisfactory due to the relatively long periods of time required to bring the battery to a satisfactory operating temperature. Other proposals capable of operation in a somewhat shorter period of time have required the use of an external source of electrical power, which is frequently unavailable.

One of the principal objects of our invention is to provide a multiple cell storage battery constructed and arranged in such manner as to permit the rapid transfer of heat between a circulating fluid and the individual battery cells comprising the battery.

A further important object of this invention is to provide apparatus including a multiple cell storage battery and a heat exchanger for rapidly heating or cooling the battery cells without utilication ci' an external source of electric power.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a multiple cell storage battery having means for disposing the battery cells within a container in such manner as to provide sealed passageways defined at least in part by the cell walls and bottoms for a flowable heat transfer media.

Other important objects of this invention will be disclosed in the following description and in the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of a form of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a battery incorporating our invention;

Fig. 3 is a section through a portion oi the Fig. 5 is a partial section through a vent valve in the battery case cover;

Fig. 6 is a partial elevation through a modied form of battery showing the relationship between the battery case cover and a cell;

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of the modified form shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial elevation illustrating a modied arrangement of battery cells in a battery case;

Fig. 9 is a partial section through a portion of the form illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. l0 is a partial section` through :a modified form of battery cell and battery case arrangement;

Fig. 1l is a partial plan view of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 10, the battery case being shown in section; and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a burner.

In brief, our storage battery includes an insulated container in which a plurality of individual battery cells are mounted in spaced relation to each other and to the container, thus exposing most of the surface of the sidewalls and bottom of each cell to heated iiuid circulating through the container. Escape of the heated iiuid from the container is prevented by a container cover iitting across the top of the container and sealed to the cells, exposing the cell binding posts and the ller opening. If desired, the cover and the top of each of the battery cells may be formed in such manner as to permit circulation of the heat exchange fluid over the top as well as around the sides and bottom of each cell.

The container is provided with an inlet and an outlet to which conduits are attached, thus forming a closed circuit for the heat exchange iiuid. A heat exchanger is connected in the circuit and is supplied with heat from a suitable source, such as a gasoline burner, the operation of which may be terminated by a thermostat disposed in the fluid circuit. The heat exchanger is preferably disposed at a level below the inlet and outlet for the containerI and may be operated in such manner as to vaporize a suitable fluid, the vapor being subsequently condensed in the container and returned to the heat exchanger by gravity. Preferably, however, the heat exchanger heats a liquid which is circulated through the container around the cells in a closed circuit. Thermal currents developed by the application oi heat to the liquid in the heat exchanger will cause circulation of the liquid through the system, but usually at a velocity below optimum. A circulation pump is therefore preferably provided, driven by a small electric motor energized by the battery cells. Obviously cooling oi the battery may be effected by reversing the now of heat through the heat exchanger in a manner well-known in the art.

The general arrangement of the subject invention disclosed diagrammatically in Fig. l, wherein we have illustrated a container, generally designated 2i, oi generally rectangular configuration and suitably insulated for reducing the transfer of heat between the internal and external walls. rlhe container 2i may suitably be formed by disposing a light gauge metal box 22 within a similar but somewhat larger metal box the space between the two boxes being packed with a suitable insulating material 2e. Reiniorcing material, such as strips of Wood 255 may be disposed between the boxes 22 and at suitable intervals to prevent excessive distortion of the boxes. The seams of the inner box 22. should be sealed against passage of uid, the box 252 also being provided with a laterally extending top flange 2l having a reverse bend l formed at its outer extremity for locking en- Vthe maximum rate of heat transfer consistent with the chemical and electrical resistance necessary to house the battery plates contain the corrosive battery liquid. Hard rubber suitable for this purpose, but a heat and shockresistant glass is preferable since it permits a more rapid transfer of heat through the cell wall. The external. surfaces of the cell walls may be provided with uns', corrugations, or the like, indicated at 3S, to increase the exposed cell surface area for contact with a heat exchange fluid.

The cells 2s may be mounted on supports 39 of wood, hard rubber, or the like shaped to receive each cell at its four bottom corners and extendingr laterally into contact with the inner box f2 or an adiacent support 39, illustrated in Fig. 2. Preferably7 each of the supports is recesse@r in such rcanner that each support enm gages small por ion of the bottom Si! and the wallsv El oi each corner of each cell. thereby preventing shitting of the individual cells laterally within the container. When the cells 2S are positioned on the supports. it will be noted that the bottom 3. of each cell spaced unwardlv from the bottom of the inner 'box 22 and the side walls Si of each cell are spaced f laterally from the walls of the inner box 22 and iro the corresponding walls of adjacent cells, thereby dening interconnecting passagewavs, generally dercnated 4l, for the passage of heat exchange iii d. A tubular iuid inlet l2 is sealed through a wall oi the container 2i near its upper ya cover de secured along its periphery to the upper portion of the container il as by `bolts lit. The cover ifi may be a sheet of metal having a plurality or openings fil formed therein exposing the binding posts and the filler opening 3l of each cell, but extendin inwardly over the top S3 ci the cells. rEhe top .of each of the cells may be grooved to receive a resilient gasket it against which the cover it ein to a dov/'n- Ward force, thus resilient-ly maintaining each cell in firm engagement with the supports rThe cover it may be provided with a vent-opening lfifi normally sealed by a valve Si having a stern 52 extending through the vent opening iiS. A spring 55 engages the stern 52 and the lower surface oi' the cover thus holding the valve in sealing position against the cover it except when excessive pressure is developed in the passageways til.

With the battery cells le vrien-ged in inanner illustrated in Fig. 3, v ll be noted that the sides Si and the bottom oi each of the cells are exposed to the heat exchange fluid, but the top 33 is sealed from the passageways 4I by the gasket it, and is therefore exposed to ambient temperature. li it is desired to circulate the heat exchange fluid across the top 33 of each cell, a structure of the type illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 may be employed. In this form of structure collars c3 are'telescoped over each of the binding posts and around the filler opening and are preferably sealed at their lower extremity to the top 33 or" each cell. The upper extremities of each of the collars preferably are disposed in a common plane and may be provided with gaskets 5ft for engagement with a cover plate 55, the latter having suitable openings formed therein permitting passage oi the binding posts Se and access to the iiiler caps 3l. The heat exchange fluid thus be circulated across the top of each of the battery cells except for that portion oi the top area sealed from the huid by the collars 53.

The supports 3Q may be eliminated by utilizing a structure of the type disclosed in F in which each. of the battery cells is provided with an upper laterally extending peripheral frange 5l' adapted for engagement with. the upper surface of a rigid cover plate thereby suspending the cell il@ in the container spaced relation to the bottom and to cells. A resilient gasket 59 may be interposed between the iiange 5'! and the cover plate 5?. To prevent vertical movement of the cells 29, studs fl may be secured to cover plate adiacent opposite corners of the cells 2Q and receive hold down clips 62, which in turn engage the upper surface of the iiange 5l.

In Figs. 10 and 1l we have illustrated a structure wherein each battery cell G3 is provided with a laterally extendingtop ange Eli similar to flanges 5T, and with feet E6 disposed near the lower corners of each of the cells and extending laterally in a manner similar to the supports 39 a distance substantially equal to the lateral extent of the flange ed. By properly dirnensioning the iiange G4 and the feet B6, these elements may be arranged for engagement with the internal walls of the container 2| and with corresponding elements of adjacent cells. The use oi a cover plate in this type of structure is not necessary since joints 61 existing between contiguous cells or between a cell and the container wall may be caulked with a suitable plastic material to pre- Vent loss of heat exchange fluid. It should also be understood that if desired the supports 39 or ,feet E6 may be formed integrally with the inner box 22. Since the cells 29 generate current at approximately two volts, the desired voltage may be attained by connecting the desired number of cells in series, as by connectors 60 having end clamps 65 for attachment to the posts 34. The clamps 65 permit removal of the container cover 44 and subsequent replacement of individual cells.

A conduit 68 connects the inlet 42 with the outlet of the heat exchanger 69, the latter being of any suitable design, for example a helical coil of copper tubing. A conduit 1| connects the outlet 43 within the inlet of the heat exchanger 69, thus establishing a substantially closed circuit for heating fluid. Heat is supplied to the heat exchanger 69 by suitable means, such as a gasoline burner 12 positioned below and within the heat exchanger 69. Preferably a wind shield 13 surrounds the burner 12 and the heat exchanger 69, the assembly being positioned below the container 2| in such manner that exhaust fumes from the burner 12 pass upwardly around the external surface of the container 2|.

To control operation of the burner 12, we provide a thermostat 19 normally extending through the wall of the container 2| into contact with a heat exchange media within the container, it being understood, however, if desired, one or more thermostats 19 may be disposed in such manner as to contact the battery fiuid within one or more of the battery cases 29. arranged in such manner that below a predetermined temperature its three contacts are interconnected, closing all circuit through the thern mostat, the motor 14 and a solenoid 9i, pivotally mounted near the burner 12. Solenoid 9| includes a reciprocal core 92 urged by a spring 93 in one direction and pivotally engages a cap 94 pivotally mounted in suitable position, as on the burner 12 for downward movement over a wick or burner element on the burner 12. Energization of the solenoid 9| draws the core S2 inwardly against spring 93 and holds the cap 94 away from element 96 until such time as the contact on the thermostat 19 opens, at which time the spring 93 forces the cap 94 downwardly in an arcuate path to snuff out the flame on the burner element 96. A wire 8| connects the thermostat 19 with the solenoid 9|.

The type of fluid utilized as a heat transfer media in our invention is governed largely by the conditions under which the device is expected to operate. It is essential, of course, that the fluid selected have a freezing point well below the minimum temperature expected. Methyl alcohol and ethylene glycol both constitute suitable liquids, although it is to be understood that other liquids exhibiting similar characteristics may be substituted if desired. If the fluid se lected is of the type which may be vaporized under atmospheric pressure without decomposition and if the fluid also has a high latent heat, the system may be operated in such manner as to boil the liquid in the heat exchanger 69, thus causing the vapor to ow through the conduits 68 and into the container 2|. Within the container the vapor flows through the passageways 4|, condensing on the exposed surfaces such as the side walls 3| and the bottoms 32 of the cells 29, discharging its latent heat and returning by gravity in liquid form to the heat exchanger through the outlet 43 and the conduit 1|.

If a liquid such as ethylene glycol is employed, it is usually preferable to simply heat the liquid in the heat exchanger 69 and circulate the heated l liquid through the passageways 4| in intimate The thermostat 19 is 6 contact with the exposed walls of the cells 29. In the type of system described, circulation will occur naturally by thermal currents but the velocity thus induced will be below the optimum for heat transfer. We therefore provide a pump 15 disposed in the fluid circuit preferably near the outlet 43 for forcibly circulating the fluid through the container 2| and the heat exchanger 69. A small motor 14 is coupled to the pump and is energized from the battery cells 219 through conductors 16 and 11, the former including a switch 18 for breaking the circuit to the motor 14.

The conductor 11 is connected to the motor 14 through the thermostat 19, which contains conventional switch elements adapted for opening the motor and solenoid circuits when the temperature of the heat exchange fluid, in which the thermostat 19 is immersed, exceeds a predetermined temperature. A switch 62 may be provided for permitting operation of the motor 14 when the thermostat switch is open, as for example when it is desired to cool the battery cells.

To cool the cells 29, the chimney 13 may be removed from about the heat exchanger 69, and a blast of cool air, as from the engine fan directed over the device by suitable baflies, not shown. Alternatively, a cooling unit 83 may be provided and connected in the iiuid circuit by two-way valves 84 and conduits 86. The type of cooling unit 33 employed is not material to our invention and may be of conventional design.

In compliance with R. S. 4888, we have disclosed in the foregoing specification several detailed structures constituting preferred embodiments of our invention. These details, however, have been Set forth by way of illustration, rather than by way of limitation, and it should not be understood that we thereby limit the scope of our invention except insofar as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

J.. A storage battery for use in extreme ambi ent temperatures comprising a container having walls resistant to the transfer of heat and dening inlet and outlet openings for connection with a source of heat transfer liquid, a heater for said liquid having' inlet and outlet openings connected in closed circuit with the container, a plurality of storage battery cells in the container, each of the cells having side and bottom walls, and means supporting each of the cells within the container with the cell walls in spaced relation to the container walls and to each adjacent cell wall, thereby defining a plurality of freely intercommunicating passageways for heat exchange liquid, each passageway being defined in part by a major portion of the area of a cell wall.

2. A storage battery for use in low ambient temperatures comprising a generally rectangular container having side and bottom walls resistant to the transmission of heat and defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connection with a source of heated liquid, a plurality of generally rectangular storage battery cells in the container, each of the cells having liquid-tight walls, support means for maintaining the walls of each of the cells in spaced relation to each adjacent cell and to the side and bottom walls of the container, thereby defining a plurality of freely intercommunicating passageways within the container, each passageway being defined in part by a major portion of the area of a cell wall and a heater for the liquid connected in closed circuit with the container.

Y3. A storage battery for use in low ambient temperatures comprising a generally rectangular container having side and bottom wallsl resistant to the transmission or" heat and dening inlet and outlet openings in connection with a source of heated liquid, a plurality of generally rectangular storage battery cells in the container, each of the cells having liquid-tight walls, and a cover secured to the top ci the container and defining an opening therein for each of the cells, the edge portions or each of the openings in the cover engaging a cell and maintaining said cells in spaced relation to each other and to the container, thereby defining a plurality of freely intercommunicating passageways for heated liquid in the container, each passageway being deiined at least in part by a major portion of the area of a cell Wall.

4. A storage battery for use in low ambient temperatures com; 'ng a container having side and bottom Walls deling spaced inlet and outlet ports for connection with a source of heated liquid, a plurality of battery cells in the container, each cell having top, bottom, and side walls, cell support means on the bottom of the container supporting the battery cells in spaced relation to each other and to the container, thereby defining freely intercommunicating passageways for heated liquid, each passageway being defined in part by a major portion of the area of a cell Wall, and a rigid cover for the container dening an opening for each cell smaller than rthe external dimensions of said cells and adapted for engagement with the top marginal portion of each cell for maintaining each cell in engagement with said support means.

5. The structure donned in claim 4, which includes Va pressure release valve in the cover communicating with said passageways.

6. A storage battery comprising a container having side and bottom walls deiining spaced inlet and outlet ports for connection with a source of heat transfer liquid, a plurality of battery cells in the container, each cell having top, bottom, and side walls and a peripheral, laterally extending flange around its upper eXtremity, support members extending downwardly and laterally from the bottom of each cell for engagement with the container walls and with each other, said support members and flanges on each cell cooperating with corresponding adjacent members and flanges and with the container walls for maintaining the cell Walls in spaced relation to each other and to the container walls, thereby defining a plurality of freely intercommunicating passageways extending aroundthe side and bottom walls of each cell for the passage of heated liquid, each of said passageways being dened in part by a major portion of the area or" cell Wall and means for sealing said iianges to each other and to the container.

7. The structure deiined in claim 6, wherein the support members are iixed to the container.

8. A storage battery forl use in low ambient temperatures comprising a container having insulated side and bottom Walls defining an inlet and an outlet for connection with a source of circulating heated liquida plurality of storage battery cells in the container, each cell having top, bottom, and side walls and binding posts projecting upwardly through thetop wall, the said top wall also having a filler opening, co1- lars projecting upwardly 'from the top wall in spaced relation around the binding posts and filler openings, support means in. the container the container, whereby heated liquid circulating in the container will contact the top, bottom, and side Walls of each cell.

9. A storage battery comprising a container having an inlet and an outlet, a plurality of battery cells in the container spaced from each other and from the container and dening freely intercommunicating passageways each bounded in part by a major portion of the area of a cell wall, said passageways communicating with the inlet and outlet, conduit means connected to said inlet and outlet on the container deiining therewith a closed circuit for circulating heated liquid, and a heat exchanger in said heated liquid circuit, said heat exchanger being independent of other heat exchanger circuits.

10. A storage battery for use in low ambient temperatures comprising a container` having insulated side and bottom walls, an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, said outlet being disposed for substantially draining the container, a plurality of battery cells in the container each having side and bottom walls, means supporting the cells in the container with each cell wall and bottom spaced from the container and from the adjacent cell walls for defining freely intercommunicating passageways for heated vapor, each said passageway being deiined in part by a major portion of the surface area of a cell wall, means including said cells for sealing the container, a boiler for condensable liquid disposed below the level of the outlet, a vapor conduit connecting the boiler onlywith the container inlet, and a condensate conduit connecting the container outlet only with the boiler.

EMMET L. MARTIN. HOWARD H. AGEE.

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